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What You Need to Know About College Internships

Internships have been around since pre-World War I, stemming from the medical community. It was a term used to describe a doctor who didn’t have his or her license to practice.

Nowadays, internships are an important piece of your college education, aimed at helping you in your job search after graduation.

Plus, Steve Jobs, Elon Musk, and Bill Gates all started as interns. Just sayin’.

What Are Internships?

Employers make internships available to help students gain experience in different industries.

Generally, your internship will last a few months, and you’ll be expected to come into the office several times per week or month, depending on your agreement.

Internships aren’t usually season-specific, meaning you won’t necessarily have to wait until the summer to do one.

They can be paid or unpaid, and will give you a sampling of what to expect once you graduate.

Internships are not meant to be used to replace a “regular” employee, so beware of any company that is using its interns in that regard. Neither are internships supposed to be treated like a part-time job, with the focus solely on earning money; it’s more geared toward learning your profession.

What Makes a Great Internship?

Not all internships can be considered good, or even great. There are some defining factors that will take an internship to great heights, levels above the many that are just fair to good.

A great internship will:

Have a well-defined intern role for you to step into

Provide onboarding

Provide you with a wealth of knowledge and skills to get ahead in your chosen career

Pair you with a mentor who will take you under his or her wing and teach you everything he or she knows

Give you plenty of networking opportunities, which can come in handy when you graduate and are in the market for a job

Include you in the perks of employment, such as salary, benefits, and more—the golden ticket of internships

Offer flexibility around your school schedule

Keep you busy and engaged in long-term projects

Provide consistent feedback regarding how you’re doing, provide help in areas you’re struggling, and commend you in areas you are excelling

Have an exit interview after you’ve completed your internship so that the position is even better for the next person

Are Internships Only for College Students?

Most commonly, internships are for juniors and seniors in college. However, it’s not unheard of for underclassmen to have an internship. Also, some high schools, such as early colleges, expect students to gain internship experience.

Getting an internship in high school can help you to determine your career path; you will have a better idea of what you want to major in once you’re in college.

Internships can also be taken by someone trying to make a career change or wanting to add skills to his or her resume.

So, while they have traditionally been part of the college experience rite of passage, internships have taken on a life of their own.

Are Internships Paid or Unpaid?

There are two types of internships. One that is paid, and one that isn’t. There is a lot of bad press around unpaid internships and all of the injustices. It’s even considered a “rich person’s” problem, because it’s just expected that most students in unpaid internships have someone back home footing the bills.

In order for an internship to be unpaid, it must meet the following requirements. Know what to expect so you are not taken advantage of:

Although it’s in a place of employment, it’s treated more as education than a job.

It benefits you, the intern.

You must work under supervision.

You are not guaranteed a job at the end of your internship.

There is an agreement in place between you and the employer that you are not receiving compensation.

What an Internship Can Do for You

These days, internships are a must. The job market is competitive, and employers are looking for new hires that already have a lot of experience under their belts.

Your internship could lead to a full time job. There is a growing number of employers hiring their interns in as full timers.

The more internships you do, the higher your pay could be once you graduate. Your experience is worth a lot!

College credits. ‘Nuff said.

You can test the waters. By doing internships, you can decide if you will even enjoy this career path you’re on.

Your skill set in a real-world setting is increased. That is invaluable.

Not to mention, you’ll build your resume, network, and most importantly, your confidence.

What's the Difference Between an Internship and Externship?

Similarly, internships and externships offer you some sort of work experience, and both are temporary. However, the difference between the two is great.

Externship: Externships could last a day, or they could last a couple of weeks. They are usually done during one of your school breaks. Essentially, you’re shadowing a person all day, gaining insight about the job. You’ll be able to ask your mentor questions and observe the work with a hands-off approach. Chances are, this is going to be unpaid and not give you any credits toward your degree.

Internship: In direct contrast to an externship, internships may hold a small hourly rate, and you’ll also get course credit for the experience. The minimum amount of time internships are required to last is eight weeks.

Keep in mind, neither internships or externships guarantee a job.

How to Find an Internship

There are multiple ways to find internships once you’re ready. Have your resume ready to go and your references listed. Most importantly, don’t wait to be asked to be an intern; take matters into your own hands and pursue it!

Your school instructors: Your teachers may have a list of companies that partner with your program to hire interns.

School resources: Check your college library and job board. Oftentimes, employers will turn to local colleges and universities to advertise internships.